The inaugural blog post. After years of dreaming, planning and much hard work, 541 is on its way (and we finally have a blog!) On behalf of the team, I want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has helped, prayed for and encouraged us along the way. This project wouldn’t be possible without your support – and to think; this is only the beginning!

There is so much that remains to be done before our dream of bringing an eatery/social enterprise to Barton St. can become a reality. What does the term ‘social enterprise’ entail, you might ask? Simply put, the end goal of our business is not to make a profit, rather it is to positively impact families and individuals in the Barton St. community. We plan to do this, primarily, by offering affordable (and delicious) meals and by investing all profits from eatery sales back into the community. Our hope is to provide opportunities for employment and to create a space where everyone who walks through the door feels welcomed and valued. Our first program will be focused on providing after-school homework help and meals for kids. The intended launch date is Fall 2013.

In order to achieve this, we’re going to need your help – yes, you. Whether you’re up for volunteering hours in the eatery, mentoring a student or swinging a hammer as we renovate our beautiful building, we would love for you to be a part of this! Our hope is for the eatery to be financially sustainable in the not-too-distant future but until then our financial partners will play an important role in our success. Check out our ‘Get Involved’ page for more information on how to donate. Even if you’re a student, you can pre-authorize a monthly donation. $5 or $10 per month can add up quickly and will make a huge difference in the long run. If you have any questions please let us know by filling out the form on the ‘Get Involved’ page and we will get back to you ASAP. Also, be sure to check out the blog for regular updates!

We are so excited to begin this journey and I can’t wait to see everyone when our doors open this summer. There will be a hot cup of coffee and a scone/cookie/sandwich/bowl of chili with your name on it.